Gary Payton On Coaching: ‘Getting A Little Interested Now’

With Byron Scott officially the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the attention turns to who will fill out his coaching staff. A few candidates have already been mentioned like Robert Horry, Mark Madsen and Paul Pressey, but rumors have circulated that Gary Payton could be in contention to join Scott’s staff.

“This stuff is just rumors right now,” Payton said. “I went to Summer League and I was with Jason (Kidd) for a long period of time and we had a couple of conversations.

“I’m getting interested now. A lot of guys knew I wasn’t interested in coaching, but now I’m getting a little interested. I see these young guys out here that needs some help and some guidance from a guy like me. It’s there, but I like what I’m doing right now, I like Fox Sports 1.

“It’s just talk right now. I got to put my mind to it, I got to think about making sacrifices and doing other things. But you know if I get into basketball I don’t know what will happen. I could be a head coach in three, four, five years I just don’t know.”

Payton is clearly still on the fence about potentially joining a coaching staff with the one-time NBA champion possibly assisting Byron Scott or Jason Kidd next season.

Payton played only one year with the Lakers during the 2003-04 NBA season. The former Defensive Player of the Year developed a closer relationship with Kobe Bryant during his only season with the Lakers. Payton would be a welcome addition to a team striving to improve on the defensive end of the basketball floor.

Although Payton has no experience coaching on any level, the former Laker would be an intriguing addition to Scott’s coaching staff. Although the move to bring in Payton will likely receive a fair share of criticism, it could be a step in the right direction with the culture change Scott is attempting to make in Los Angeles.